OUR TIPS FOR DRAWING WITH A FOUNTAIN PEN

Fountain pens are renowned for the delicacy they confer to writing, and they are also wonderful tools for drawing. Choose a fountain pen from the Caran d'Ache Haute Ecriture collection for your drawings and turn your drawing into a real artistic adventure.

Explore the full potential of your creativity by learning to draw with the tip of your fountain pen and discover how much this Swiss Made instrument can enhance your artwork.

Follow our advice to learn how to master the art of drawing with a fountain pen.

While it's true that fountain pens are mainly designed for writing, they are also practical tools that will assist you in all your creative activities: from writing to calligraphy to artistic drawing.

It is often said that each and every one of us possesses a unique way of writing, and the same goes for drawing. And because our style is one-of-a-kind, our Swiss Made Caran d'Ache fountain pens have been conceived to be completely personal, when it comes to both writing and drawing.

With fountain pens it is possible to create delicate drawings full of fineness that are uniquely beautiful. They are also easy to carry around, can be taken anywhere and, when travelling, a fountain pen is lighter and less bulky than a case full of colour pencils.

Unlike graphite pencils, you can change the ink in your fountain pen and thus vary the colours in your drawings.

Would you like to learn the art of drawing with a fountain pen? Follow our advice to master the right techniques and get ready for your first sketch using a fountain pen.

Writing and drawing do not require the same grip or hand movements. Take the time to get used to your fountain pen. Fountain pen ink being more permanent than graphite, we recommend practising holding your pen and experimenting with your grip before starting. Trace your first lines on a piece of scrap paper and try small sketches to find the gestures that match your style.

Your fountain pen allows you to experiment with a variety of lines. Ink wash, hatching, heavy strokes, light upstrokes: you can try out different shapes and lines with your fountain pen and thus easily vary your techniques.

Your choice of fountain pen nib will influence how thick your lines are. With a medium tip size you'll trace medium lines; with a large tip you'll trace thicker lines.

Drawing and sketching with a fountain pen allows you to apply different amounts of pressure on your fountain pen's nib, creating a wide variety of drawing styles.

Apply light pressure to trace fine and clear lines, or conversely apply more pressure to fill in shapes. If you're drawing with a light fountain pen, you'll have to apply more pressure on your pen to get the ink flowing. With a heavier fountain pen it's easier to play with the amount of pressure exerted.

Are you looking for the perfect drawing companion that provides both unparalleled technical expertise and an incomparable look? You're sure to find the perfect fountain pen for you from the range of high-quality Caran d'Ache fountain pens.

Choose a fountain pen that is comfortable and easy to hold. Whether you prefer the modern, six-sided 849 fountain pen, the timeless classic Ecridor fountain pen featuring guilloche work, the luxurious Leman pen with its variety of finishes or the precious Varius fountain pen, our Swiss Maison caters to every taste, and you are sure to find the instrument that will enhance your fountain pen drawings.

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Just as important as selecting the fountain pen that feels comfortable, the right choice of nib is crucial if you wish to use the instrument to draw and sketch.

In order to cater to all tastes when it comes to drawing and writing, the Maison Caran d'Ache offers a selection of 3 to 7 fountain pen nib sizes:

● Medium nib (M) for medium-sized lines

● Fine nib (F) for a comfortable drawing experience thanks to its rounded tip

● Broad nib (B) for thicker lines

● Oblique medium (OM) or oblique broad nib (OB) for a smoother sensation on the paper

● Extra fine nib (EF) with a rounded tip for extra-fine lines.

Having the right fountain pen is not the only consideration. Choosing the right ink for your fountain pen is just as important when getting down to sketching and drawing with a fountain pen. The Maison Caran d'Ache offers ink wells and Chromatics ink cartridges that you can slide into your fountain pens. Vary the colours you use in your drawings with Caran d'Ache's ink wells and cartridges that are available in 12 luminous colours, from classic black to eccentric orange.

When drawing or sketching with a fountain pen, opt for a thicker, rougher paper that the nib will catch on a little, rather than one that's very smooth, especially if you're a beginner. Once you've mastered the techniques used in fountain pen sketching, you'll be able to draw on smooth paper.

As for the format, opt for a drawing pad or sketchbook where you can start with simple drawings and then see your style evolve page after page.

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